The energy is being emitted from the outer envelope with an effective temperature 8,296 K,[7] giving it the white hue characteristic of an A-type star.

Having a larger mass than the Sun it will have a shorter lifespan, and in another 600 million years or so will swell into an orange or red giant star before decaying quietly into a remnant white dwarf consisting of carbon and oxygen.

The inclination of the axis of rotation to the line of sight from the Earth is estimated at 38.1°, which would mean the azimuthal velocity along the equator is about 280 km s−1.

[18] Consequently, the Chinese name for δ Leonis itself is 太微右垣五 (Tài Wēi Zuǒ Yuán wu, English: the Fifth Star of Right Wall of Supreme Palace Enclosure),[19] representing 西上相 (Xīshǎngxiāng), meaning The First Western Minister.

[20] 西上相 (Xīshǎngxiāng), spelled Shang Seang by R.H. Allen,[10] means "the Higher Minister of State".